Vase



Dec. 1, 1936. A. R. THOMAS VASE Filed March 6, 1936 AL BERT R 7710/ 4/15 INVENTOR,

ATTORNE Patented Dec. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES VASE Albert R. Thomas, San Antonio, Tex.

Application March 6,

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in vases.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved vase which is particularly adaptable for cemetery grounds.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved vase which may be embedded substantially flush with the earth and which may also be embedded in concrete or a grave marker,

and may be readily made to harmonize or match its surroundings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vase having an inner cup which may be raised and lowered, and means for holding said inner cup in its various positions, whereby said inner cup may be easily removed from or inserted into said vase.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a vase so formed that a wheel may be rolled over said vase and the inner cup will be readily depressed, said cup having a cap thereon which offers no obstruction to the wheel, so that said wheel may easily roll thereover without damaging said vase.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vase having a cap therefor so that the open mouth of the vase is not left exposed, whereby the hazard of a person stepping into or tripping over the open mouth of said vase is eliminated.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and. by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure l is a vertical, sectional view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, 40 showing the movable member in its lowermost position,

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the movable member in one of its raised positions,

Figure 3 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view 45 taken on the line a 3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a plan view of the device.

In the drawing the numeral l0 designates an upright, tubular, metal casing or shell which is 50 adapted to be embedded in earth, concrete, or the grave marker, as desired. The upper edge of the casing is rolled or turned inwardly to form a bead II. It will be noticed that this forms a rounded edge and eliminates any possibility of a sharp 55 edge being exposed. The bottom of the casing is 1936, Serial No. 67,519

provided with a suitable opening l2 through which water may drain.

An elongated, cylindrical cup or receptacle I3 is mounted to slide within the casing II]. It is pointed out that a tight sliding fit is provided between the cup l3 and the annular bead ll, whereby water, dirt and other extraneous matter will not readily enter said casing. An eye I4 is provided on the bottom of the cup in order that a chain [5, or any suitable connecting means, may be fastened therein, and the other end of said chain may be suitably fastened to said casing, such as by an eye It. This chain is of sufficient length to permit the removal of the cup l3 from the casing Hi, the necessary distance to tilt said cup and dump the contents therefrom. It is pointed out that the two parts cannot readily become lost or misplaced from each other, by reason of the chain, although the chain is not essential to the invention as it may be readily seen that the device could be used very satisfactorily without the chain.

The upper end of the cup 13 is provided with a plurality of J.-slots I! (Figure 1). An annular head or cap l8 has a sliding engagement with the upper end of the cup and is provided with gudgeons IQ for co-acting with the J-slots H, and as will be seen in Figure l, the cap and the cup are thus locked together. The head m'ay' be made of bronze or any other suitable material, and is perforated, so as to form a frog or holder for the stems of flowers, ferns and the like. The head is of sufiicient diameter as to extend over and beyond the casing [0, in order that a protecting flange for the entire device is provided. The underside of the head surrounding the cup I3 is formed with a recess 20 into which fits the bead II of the casing II]. It will be noticed that the bottom of the head surrounding the outer edge of the recess will lie substantially flush with the top of the ground, concrete, or the grave marker. In Figures 1' and 2, attention is called to the fact that the head i8 is shaped, so that the wheels of a lawnmower may readily pass thereover, and the upper surface of said head does not offer any obstruction which is one of the main disadvantages to the devices, now in common use.

A plurality of leaf spring clips 2| are riveted to the casing ill at their upper ends and depend downwardly therein, said clips being provided with a plurality of transverse ribs 22 which act as stops, so as to hold the cup l3 in various elevated positions. These ribs are spaced equi-distant on each clip so as to evenly support said cup, however it will be noticed in Figures 1 and 2 that from the casing,

whereby said ends are free to flex when said "clips are expanded, as shown in Figure 2, or contracted, as shown in Figure 1, or when said cup is removed from the casing.

In using the device a suitable hole or recess is made in the ground or other support in which the casing ID is to be mounted. The casing is inserted in such opening so that the bead Ii at its upper end is substantially flush with the surface of the ground or surface of the Support. The opening I 2 in the bottom of the casing provides a suitable drain. The cylindrical cup 13 is then pressed down into the casing so that its lower edge engages the ribs 22 of the clips 2|, which act as stops. The lower edge of the receptacle will either stop at the ribs or depress the clip and base over said ribs, as is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

It will be obvious that by employing the ribs as stops, the head l8 may be supported at various elevations above the ground. When it is desired to fasten the head onto the cup, said head is placed on the cup and forced downwardly until the gudgeons i9 engage in the J-slots N. Then by giving the head a slight rotation, the parts will be locked together, as is shown in Figure 1. The head overhanging the casing i will protect the casing and conceal it.

Water may be placed in the cup and the stems of flowers inserted through the perforations of the head l8. This arrangement will present a very attractive and pleasing appearance. When it is desired to remove the flowers and empty the cup, it is simply necessary to remove said cup the head serving as a handle for this purpose. The cup may be replaced and fresh flowers inserted if desired.

Attention is called to the shape of the surface of the head l8, wherein it will be noted that the wheel of a lawnmower, caretakers barrow, and

the like, may readily pass thereover without damaging the device. If the cup has been left in an elevated position, such as is shown in Figure 2,

said wheel of the lawnmower, upon engaging the head I 8 would depress the cup l3 and pass thereover without any injurious results to said device. Thus, it will be seen that applicants cemetery vase will not be damaged through carelessness.

The head l8 may be made of bronze or any material desired, so as to match or harmonize with the arrangement of the surroundings in the cemetery lot.v Said head on top of the cup l3 forms a cover for the open end thereof, so as not to leave an open hole exposed, and to eliminate the hazard of a person stepping into an open hole or tripping thereover.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A vase including, a casing, a receptacle within said casing, a cap for said receptacle, and means in said casing for holding receptacle in various positions with relation to said casing.

2. A vase including, a casing, a receptacle with said casing, a cap for said receptacle overhanging said casing, and means for holding said receptacle in various positions and arranged for raising and lowering of said receptacle.

3. A vase including, a casing adapted to be inserted in the ground or other support, a receptacle telescoping said casing, a cap mounted on said receptacle and having perforations for receiving the stems of flowers, and means in the casing for fastening the receptacle at various elevations.

4. A vase including, a casing adapted to be inserted in the ground or other support, a. receptacle telescoping said casing, a cap mounted on said receptacle and having perforations for receiving the stems of flowers, and means in the casing for fastening the receptacle at various elevations, the cap being oval and overhanging the casing so as to engage the surface surrounding the casing and for guiding wheels thereover.

5. A vase including, a cylindrical casing, spring clips mounted in said casing and having stops, a cylindrical receptacle telescoping said casing and engaging the stops of the clips, whereby said receptacle may be held at various elevations, and a cap on the cup provided with perforations for receiving the stems of flowers.

ALBERT R. THOMAS. 

